Transmission medium having a coupler mechanically coupled to the transmission medium

ABSTRACT

A dielectric waveguide coupling system for launching and extracting guided wave communication transmissions from a wire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is small compared to the macroscopic size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate as guided waves guided by a strip of dielectric material. Unlike conventional waveguides, the electromagnetic field associated with the dielectric waveguide is primarily outside of the waveguide. When this dielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire, the guided waves decouple from the dielectric waveguide and couple to the wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves about the surface of the wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/469,287 filed Aug. 26, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,692,101, issued Jun. 27, 2017) by Henry et al., entitled “Guided WaveCouplers and Methods Thereof.” All sections of the aforementionedapplication(s) are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to guided wave couplers and methodsthereof.

BACKGROUND

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly becomeubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices andexisting wireless infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidthcapability in order to address the increased demand. To provideadditional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued,with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areasthan traditional macrocells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a guided wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupler in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupler in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupler in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupler and transceiver inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dual dielectric waveguide coupler in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a bidirectional repeater system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for transmitting a transmission with a dielectricwaveguide coupler as described herein.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c are block diagrams illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a slotted waveguide coupler in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a waveguide coupling system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a waveguide coupling system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for transmitting an electromagnetic wave with useof a waveguide as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout the drawings. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It isevident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced withoutthese details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

To provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, thebackhaul network that links the communication cells (e.g., microcellsand macrocells) to network devices of the core network correspondinglyexpands. Similarly, to provide network connectivity to a distributedantenna system, an extended communication system that links base stationdevices and their distributed antennas is desirable. A guided wavecommunication system can be provided to enable alternative, increased oradditional network connectivity and a waveguide coupling system can beprovided to transmit and/or receive guided wave (e.g., surface wave)communications on a wire, such as a wire that operates as a single-wiretransmission line (e.g., a utility line), that operates as a waveguideand/or that otherwise operates to guide the transmission of anelectromagnetic wave. In an embodiment, a waveguide coupler that isutilized in a waveguide coupling system can be made of a dielectricmaterial, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., TEFLON® e.g. syntheticresin, polyethylene and etc.), or even be made of a conducting (e.g.,metallic, non-conducting, etc.) material, or any combination of theforegoing materials. Reference throughout the detailed description to“dielectric waveguide” is for illustration purposes and does not limitembodiments to being constructed solely of dielectric materials. Inother embodiments, other dielectric or insulating materials arepossible. It will be appreciated that a variety of wires, whetherinsulated or not, and whether single-stranded or multi-stranded, can beutilized with guided wave communications without departing from exampleembodiments.

For these and/or other considerations, in one or more embodiments, anapparatus comprises a waveguide that facilitates propagation of a firstelectromagnetic wave at least in part on a waveguide surface, whereinthe waveguide surface does not surround in whole or in substantial parta wire surface of a wire, and, in response to the waveguide beingpositioned with respect to the wire, the first electromagnetic wavecouples at least in part to the wire surface and travels at leastpartially around the wire surface as a second electromagnetic wave, andwherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a waveguide that has awaveguide surface that defines a cross sectional area of the waveguidewherein a wire is positioned outside of the cross-sectional area of thewaveguide such that a first electromagnetic wave, traveling along thewire in part on the wire surface, couples at least in part to thewaveguide surface and travels at least partially around the waveguidesurface as a second electromagnetic wave.

In an embodiment, a method comprises emitting, by a transmission device,a first electromagnetic wave that propagates at least in part on awaveguide surface of a waveguide, wherein the waveguide is not coaxiallyaligned with a wire. The method can also include configuring thewaveguide in proximity of the wire to facilitate coupling of at least apart of the first electromagnetic wave to a wire surface, forming asecond electromagnetic wave that propagates at least partially aroundthe wire surface.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises, in one or moreembodiments, a waveguide having a slot formed by opposing slot surfacesthat are non-parallel, wherein the opposing slot surfaces are separatedby a distance that enables insertion of a wire in the slot, wherein thewaveguide facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave atleast in part on a waveguide surface, and, in response to the waveguidebeing positioned with respect to the wire, the first electromagneticwave couples at least in part to a wire surface of the wire and travelsat least partially around the wire surface as a second electromagneticwave, and wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagationmode.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises, in one or moreembodiments, a waveguide, wherein the waveguide comprises a materialthat is not electrically conductive and is suitable for propagatingelectromagnetic waves on a waveguide surface of the waveguide, whereinthe waveguide facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave atleast in part on the waveguide surface, and, in response to thewaveguide being positioned with respect to a wire, the firstelectromagnetic wave couples at least in part to a wire surface of thewire and travels at least partially around the wire surface as a secondelectromagnetic wave, and wherein the second electromagnetic wave has awave propagation mode.

In another embodiment, a method of transmitting electromagnetic waveswith use of a waveguide disposed in proximity to but not coaxiallyaligned with a wire can include emitting, by a transmission device, afirst electromagnetic wave that propagates at least in part on thesurface of the waveguide. The method can also include delivering atleast a part of the first electromagnetic wave to the surface of thewire via the non-coaxially aligned waveguide, thereby forming a secondelectromagnetic wave that propagates along the wire, at least partiallyaround the wire surface.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a dielectric waveguidecoupling system for launching and extracting guided wave (e.g., surfacewave communications that are electromagnetic waves) transmissions from awire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is smallcompared to the size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate aswaves guided by a strip or length of dielectric material. Theelectromagnetic field structure of the guided wave can be both insideand outside of the waveguide. However, in alternate embodiments, theelectromagnetic structure of the guided wave can also be primarilyinside or primarily outside of the waveguide as well. When thisdielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire(e.g., a utility line or other transmission line), at least a portion ofthe guided waves decouples from the dielectric waveguide and couples tothe wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves, such as surfacewaves about the surface of the wire. According to an example embodiment,a surface wave is a type of guided wave that is guided by a surface ofthe wire, which can include an exterior or outer surface of the wire, oranother surface of the wire that is adjacent to or exposed to anothertype of medium having different properties (e.g., dielectricproperties). Indeed, in an example embodiment, a surface of the wirethat guides a surface wave can represent a transitional surface betweentwo different types of media. For example, in the case of a bare oruninsulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the outer or exteriorconductive surface of the bare or uninsulated wire that is exposed toair or free space. As another example, in the case of insulated wire,the surface of the wire can be the conductive portion of the wire thatmeets the insulator portion of the wire, or can otherwise be theinsulator surface of the wire that is exposed to air or free space, orcan otherwise be any material region between the insulator surface ofthe wire and the conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulatorportion of the wire, depending upon the relative differences in theproperties (e.g., dielectric properties) of the insulator, air, and/orthe conductor. As described herein, insulated wire can refer to anymetallic wire or cable with a dielectric coating or sheathing,regardless of the intended function of such dielectric coating. Suchinsulated wires can include in some embodiments, tree guard insulationand Hendrix insulation, among other varieties of insulation.

According to an example embodiment, guided waves such as surface wavescan be contrasted with radio transmissions over free space/air orconventional propagation of electrical power or signals through theconductor of the wire. Indeed, with surface wave or guided wave systemsdescribed herein, conventional electrical power or signals can stillpropagate or be transmitted through the conductor of the wire, whileguided waves (including surface waves and other electromagnetic waves)can propagate or be transmitted about the surface of the wire, accordingto an example embodiment. In an embodiment, a surface wave can have afield structure (e.g., an electromagnetic field structure) that liesprimarily or substantially outside of the line or wire that serves toguide the surface wave.

According to an example embodiment, the electromagnetic waves travelingalong the wire and around the outer surface of the wire are induced byother electromagnetic waves traveling along a waveguide in proximity tothe wire. The inducement of the electromagnetic waves can be independentof any electrical potential, charge or current that is injected orotherwise transmitted through the wires as part of an electricalcircuit. It is to be appreciated that while a small current in the wiremay be formed in response to the propagation of the electromagnetic wavethrough the wire, this can be due to the propagation of theelectromagnetic wave along the wire surface, and is not formed inresponse to electrical potential, charge or current that is injectedinto the wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagneticwaves traveling on the wire therefore do not require a return path (i.e.circuit) to propagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is asingle wire transmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, insome embodiments, a wire is not necessary, and the electromagnetic wavescan propagate along a single line transmission medium that is not awire.

According to an example embodiment, the term “about” a wire used inconjunction with a guided wave (e.g., surface wave) can includefundamental wave propagation modes and other guided waves having acircular or substantially circular field distribution (e.g., electricfield, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, etc.) at least partiallyaround a wire. In addition, when a guided wave propagates “about” awire, it can do so according to a wave propagation mode that includesnot only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zero ordermodes), but additionally or alternatively other non-fundamental wavepropagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g., 1^(st)order modes, 2^(nd) order modes, etc.), asymmetrical modes and/or otherguided (e.g., surface) waves that have non-circular field distributionsaround a wire. For example, such non-circular field distributions can beunilateral or multi-lateral with one or more axial lobes characterizedby relatively higher field strength and/or one or more nulls or nullregions characterized by relatively low-field strength, zero-fieldstrength or substantially zero field strength. Further, the fielddistribution can otherwise vary as a function of a longitudinal axialorientation around the wire such that one or more regions of axialorientation around the wire have an electric or magnetic field strength(or combination thereof) that is higher than one or more other regionsof axial orientation, according to an example embodiment. It will beappreciated that the relative positions of the wave higher order modesor asymmetrical modes can vary as the guided wave travels along thewire.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communication system 100 isshown. Guided wave communication system 100 depicts an exemplaryenvironment in which a dielectric waveguide coupling system can be used.

Guided wave communication system 100 can be a distributed antenna systemthat includes one or more base station devices (e.g., base stationdevice 104) that are communicably coupled to a macrocell site 102 orother network connection. Base station device 104 can be connected by awired (e.g., fiber and/or cable), or by a wireless (e.g., microwavewireless) connection to macrocell site 102. Macrocells such as macrocellsite 102 can have dedicated connections to the mobile network and basestation device 104 can share and/or otherwise use macrocell site 102'sconnection. Base station device 104 can be mounted on, or attached to,utility pole 116. In other embodiments, base station device 104 can benear transformers and/or other locations situated nearby a power line.

Base station device 104 can facilitate connectivity to a mobile networkfor mobile devices 122 and 124. Antennas 112 and 114, mounted on or nearutility poles 118 and 120, respectively, can receive signals from basestation device 104 and transmit those signals to mobile devices 122 and124 over a much wider area than if the antennas 112 and 114 were locatedat or near base station device 104.

It is noted that FIG. 1 displays three utility poles, with one basestation device, for purposes of simplicity. In other embodiments,utility pole 116 can have more base station devices, and one or moreutility poles with distributed antennas are possible.

A dielectric waveguide coupling device 106 can transmit the signal frombase station device 104 to antennas 112 and 114 via utility or powerline(s) that connect the utility poles 116, 118, and 120. To transmitthe signal, radio source and/or coupler 106 upconverts the signal (e.g.,via frequency mixing) from base station device 104 to a millimeter-waveband signal and the dielectric waveguide coupling device 106 launches amillimeter-wave band wave that propagates as a guided wave (e.g.,surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) traveling along the utilityline or other wire. At utility pole 118, another dielectric waveguidecoupling device 108 receives the guided wave (and optionally can amplifyit as needed or desired) and sends it forward as a guided wave (e.g.,surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) on the utility line or otherwire. The dielectric waveguide coupling device 108 can also extract asignal from the millimeter-wave band guided wave and shift it down infrequency to its original cellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz orother defined cellular frequency) or another cellular (or non-cellular)band frequency. An antenna 112 can transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit)the downshifted signal to mobile device 122. The process can be repeatedby dielectric waveguide coupling device 110, antenna 114 and mobiledevice 124, as necessary or desirable.

Transmissions from mobile devices 122 and 124 can also be received byantennas 112 and 114 respectively. Repeaters on dielectric waveguidecoupling devices 108 and 110 can upshift or otherwise convert thecellular band signals to millimeter-wave band and transmit the signalsas guided wave (e.g., surface wave or other electromagnetic wave)transmissions over the power line(s) to base station device 104.

In an example embodiment, system 100 can employ diversity paths, wheretwo or more utility lines or other wires are strung between the utilitypoles 116, 118, and 120 (e.g., for example, two or more wires betweenpoles 116 and 120) and redundant transmissions from base station 104 aretransmitted as guided waves down the surface of the utility lines orother wires. The utility lines or other wires can be either insulated oruninsulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that causetransmission losses, the coupling devices can selectively receivesignals from the insulated or uninsulated utility lines or other wires.The selection can be based on measurements of the signal-to-noise ratioof the wires, or based on determined weather/environmental conditions(e.g., moisture detectors, weather forecasts, etc.). The use ofdiversity paths with system 100 can enable alternate routingcapabilities, load balancing, increased load handling, concurrentbi-directional or synchronous communications, spread spectrumcommunications, etc. (See FIG. 8 for more illustrative details).

It is noted that the use of the dielectric waveguide coupling devices106, 108, and 110 in FIG. 1 are by way of example only, and that inother embodiments, other uses are possible. For instance, dielectricwaveguide coupling devices can be used in a backhaul communicationsystem, providing network connectivity to base station devices.Dielectric waveguide coupling devices can be used in many circumstanceswhere it is desirable to transmit guided wave communications over awire, whether insulated or not insulated. Dielectric waveguide couplingdevices are improvements over other coupling devices due to no contactor limited physical and/or electrical contact with the wires. Withdielectric waveguide coupling devices, the apparatus can be located awayfrom the wire (e.g., spaced apart from the wire) and/or located on thewire so long as it is not electrically in contact with the wire, as thedielectric acts as an insulator, allowing for cheap, easy, and/or lesscomplex installation.

It is further noted, that while base station device 104 and macrocellsite 102 are illustrated in an embodiment, other network configurationsare likewise possible. For example, devices such as access points orother wireless gateways can be employed in a similar fashion to extendthe reach of other networks such as a wireless local area network, awireless personal area network or other wireless network that operatesin accordance with a communication protocol such as a 802.11 protocol,WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, BLUETOOTH® protocol, ZIGBEE®protocol or other wireless protocol.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 200 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. System 200 comprises adielectric waveguide 204 that has a wave 206 propagating as a guidedwave about a waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 204. In anembodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 is curved, and at least aportion of the waveguide 204 can be placed near a wire 202 in order tofacilitate coupling between the waveguide 204 and the wire 202, asdescribed herein. The dielectric waveguide 204 can be placed such that aportion of the curved dielectric waveguide 204 is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the wire 202. The portion of the dielectricwaveguide 204 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the curve,or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 202.When the dielectric waveguide 204 is positioned or placed thusly, thewave 206 travelling along the dielectric waveguide 204 couples, at leastin part, to the wire 202, and propagates as guided wave 208 around orabout the wire surface of the wire 202. The guided wave 208 can becharacterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave, althoughother types of guided waves 208 can supported as well without departingfrom example embodiments. A portion of the wave 206 that does not coupleto the wire 202 propagates as wave 210 along the dielectric waveguide204. It will be appreciated that the dielectric waveguide 204 can beconfigured and arranged in a variety of positions in relation to thewire 202 to achieve a desired level of coupling or non-coupling of thewave 206 to the wire 202. For example, the curvature and/or length ofthe dielectric waveguide 204 that is parallel or substantially parallel,as well as its separation distance (which can include zero separationdistance in an embodiment), to the wire 202 can be varied withoutdeparting for example embodiments. Likewise, the arrangement ofdielectric waveguide 204 in relation to the wire 202 may be varied basedupon considerations of the respective intrinsic characteristics (e.g.,thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.) of the wire202 and the dielectric waveguide 204, as well as the characteristics(e.g., frequency, energy level, etc.) of the waves 206 and 208.

The guided wave 208 stays parallel or substantially parallel to the wire202, even as the wire 202 bends and flexes. Bends in the wire 202 canincrease transmission losses, which are also dependent on wirediameters, frequency, and materials. If the dimensions of the dielectricwaveguide 204 are chosen for efficient power transfer, most of the powerin the wave 206 is transferred to the wire 202, with little powerremaining in wave 210. It will be appreciated that the guided wave 208can still be multi-modal in nature (discussed herein), including havingmodes that are non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along apath that is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 202. In anembodiment, non-fundamental or asymmetric modes can be utilized tominimize transmission losses and/or obtain increased propagationdistances.

It is noted that the term “parallel” is generally a geometric constructwhich often is not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, theterm “parallel” as utilized in the subject disclosure represents anapproximation rather than an exact configuration when used to describeembodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an embodiment,“substantially parallel” can include approximations that are within 30degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.

In an embodiment, the wave 206 can exhibit one or more wave propagationmodes. The dielectric waveguide modes can be dependent on the shapeand/or design of the waveguide 204. The one or more dielectric waveguidemodes of wave 206 can generate, influence, or impact one or more wavepropagation modes of the guided wave 208 propagating along wire 202. Inan embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 202 can be similarto the dielectric waveguide modes since both waves 206 and 208 propagateabout the outside of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wire 202respectively. In some embodiments, as the dielectric waveguide modecouple to the wire 202, the modes can change form due to differences insize, material, and/or impedances of the dielectric waveguide 204 andwire 202. The wave propagation modes can comprise the fundamentaltransverse electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electricand/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and theelectric and magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guidedwave propagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donutshaped, where few of the electromagnetic fields exist within thedielectric waveguide 204 or wire 202. Waves 206 and 208 can comprise afundamental TEM mode where the fields extend radially outwards, and alsocomprise other, non-fundamental (e.g., asymmetric, higher-level, etc.)modes. While particular wave propagation modes are discussed above,other wave propagation modes are likewise possible such as transverseelectric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, based on thefrequencies employed, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, thedimensions and composition of the wire 202, as well as its surfacecharacteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic propertiesof the surrounding environment, etc. It should be noted that, dependingon the frequency, the electrical and physical characteristics of thewire 202 and the particular wave propagation modes that are generated,guided wave 208 can travel along the conductive surface of an oxidizeduninsulated wire, an unoxidized uninsulated wire, an insulated wireand/or along the insulating surface of an insulated wire.

In an embodiment, a diameter of the dielectric waveguide 204 is smallerthan the diameter of the wire 202. For the millimeter-band wavelengthbeing used, the dielectric waveguide 204 supports a single waveguidemode that makes up wave 206. This single waveguide mode can change as itcouples to the wire 202 as guided wave 208. If the dielectric waveguide204 were larger, more than one waveguide mode can be supported, butthese additional waveguide modes may not couple to the wire 202 asefficiently, and higher coupling losses can result. However, in somealternative embodiments, the diameter of the dielectric waveguide 204can be equal to or larger than the diameter of the wire 202, forexample, where higher coupling losses are desirable or when used inconjunction with other techniques to otherwise reduce coupling losses(e.g., impedance matching with tapering, etc.).

In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 206 and 208 are comparablein size, or smaller than a circumference of the dielectric waveguide 204and the wire 202 respectively. In an example, if the wire 202 has adiameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding circumference of around 1.5 cm,the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm or less,corresponding to a frequency of 20 GHz or greater. In anotherembodiment, a suitable frequency of the transmission and thecarrier-wave signal is in the range of 30-100 GHz, perhaps around 30-60GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In an embodiment, when thecircumference of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wire 202 is comparablein size to, or greater, than a wavelength of the transmission, the waves206 and 208 can exhibit multiple wave propagation modes includingfundamental and/or non-fundamental (symmetric and/or asymmetric) modesthat propagate over sufficient distances to support variouscommunication systems described herein. The waves 206 and 208 cantherefore comprise more than one type of electric and magnetic fieldconfiguration. In an embodiment, as the guided wave 208 propagates downthe wire 202, the electrical and magnetic field configurations willremain the same from end to end of the wire 202. In other embodiments,as the guided wave 208 encounters interference or loses energy due totransmission losses, the electric and magnetic field configurations canchange as the guided wave 208 propagates down wire 202.

In an embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 can be composed of nylon,TEFLON® (e.g. synthetic resin), polyethylene, a polyamide, or otherplastics. In other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible.The wire surface of wire 202 can be metallic with either a bare metallicsurface, or can be insulated using plastic, dielectric, insulator orother sheathing. In an embodiment, a dielectric or otherwisenon-conducting/insulated waveguide can be paired with either abare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other embodiments, a metallicand/or conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare/metallic wire orinsulated wire. In an embodiment, an oxidation layer on the baremetallic surface of the wire 202 (e.g., resulting from exposure of thebare metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide insulating ordielectric properties similar to those provided by some insulators orsheathings.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 206, 208 and 210are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 206 inducesor otherwise launches a guided wave 208 on a wire 202 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. Wave 210 represents theportion of wave 206 that remains on the dielectric waveguide 204 afterthe generation of guided wave 208. The actual electric and magneticfields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary dependingon the frequencies employed, the particular wave propagation mode ormodes, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, the dimensions andcomposition of the wire 202, as well as its surface characteristics, itsoptional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surroundingenvironment, etc.

It is noted that dielectric waveguide 204 can include a terminationcircuit or damper 214 at the end of the dielectric waveguide 204 thatcan absorb leftover radiation or energy from wave 210. The terminationcircuit or damper 214 can prevent and/or minimize the leftover radiationfrom wave 210 reflecting back toward transmitter circuit 212. In anembodiment, the termination circuit or damper 214 can includetermination resistors, and/or other components that perform impedancematching to attenuate reflection. In some embodiments, if the couplingefficiencies are high enough, and/or wave 210 is sufficiently small, itmay not be necessary to use a termination circuit or damper 214. For thesake of simplicity, these transmitter and termination circuits ordampers 212 and 214 are not depicted in the other figures, but in thoseembodiments, transmitter and termination circuits or dampers maypossibly be used.

Further, while a single dielectric waveguide 204 is presented thatgenerates a single guided wave 208, multiple dielectric waveguides 204placed at different points along the wire 202 and/or at different axialorientations about the wire can be employed to generate multiple guidedwaves 208 at the same or different frequencies, at the same or differentphases, at the same or different wave propagation modes. The guided waveor waves 208 can be modulated to convey data via a modulation techniquesuch as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitudemodulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation and viamultiple access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, timedivision multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing viadiffering wave propagation modes and via other modulation and accessstrategies.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 300 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. System 300 comprises adielectric waveguide 304 and a wire 302 that has a wave 306 propagatingas a guided wave about a wire surface of the wire 302. In an exampleembodiment, the wave 306 can be characterized as a surface wave or otherelectromagnetic wave.

In an example embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 304 is curved orotherwise has a curvature, and can be placed near a wire 302 such that aportion of the curved dielectric waveguide 304 is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the wire 302. The portion of the dielectricwaveguide 204 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the curve,or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 302.When the dielectric waveguide 304 is near the wire, the guided wave 306travelling along the wire 302 can couple to the dielectric waveguide 304and propagate as guided wave 308 about the dielectric waveguide 304. Aportion of the guided wave 306 that does not couple to the dielectricwaveguide 304 propagates as guided wave 310 (e.g., surface wave or otherelectromagnetic wave) along the wire 302.

The guided waves 306 and 308 stay parallel to the wire 302 anddielectric waveguide 304, respectively, even as the wire 302 anddielectric waveguide 304 bend and flex. Bends can increase transmissionlosses, which are also dependent on wire diameters, frequency, andmaterials. If the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 304 are chosenfor efficient power transfer, most of the energy in the guided wave 306is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 and little remains in guidedwave 310.

In an embodiment, a receiver circuit (not shown) can be placed on theend of waveguide 304 in order to receive wave 308. A termination circuit(not shown) can be placed on the opposite end of the waveguide 304 inorder to receive guided waves traveling in the opposite direction toguided wave 306 that couple to the waveguide 304. The terminationcircuit would thus prevent and/or minimize reflections being received bythe receiver circuit. If the reflections are small, the terminationcircuit may not be necessary.

It is noted that the dielectric waveguide 304 can be configured suchthat selected polarizations of the guided wave 306 are coupled to thedielectric waveguide 304 as guided wave 308. For instance, if guidedwave 306 is made up of guided waves or wave propagation modes withrespective polarizations, dielectric waveguide 304 can be configured toreceive one or more guided waves of selected polarization(s). Guidedwave 308 that couples to the dielectric waveguide 304 is thus the set ofguided waves that correspond to one or more of the selectedpolarization(s), and further guided wave 310 can comprise the guidedwaves that do not match the selected polarization(s).

The dielectric waveguide 304 can be configured to receive guided wavesof a particular polarization based on an angle/rotation around the wire302 that the dielectric waveguide 304 is placed. For instance, if theguided wave 306 is polarized horizontally, most of the guided wave 306transfers to the dielectric waveguide as wave 308. As the dielectricwaveguide 304 is rotated 90 degrees around the wire 302, though, most ofthe energy from guided wave 306 would remain coupled to the wire asguided wave 310, and only a small portion would couple to the wire 302as wave 308.

It is noted that waves 306, 308, and 310 are shown using three circularsymbols in FIG. 3 and in other figures in the specification. Thesesymbols are used to represent a general guided wave, but do not implythat the waves 306, 308, and 310 are circularly polarized or otherwisecircularly oriented. In fact, waves 306, 308, and 310 can comprise afundamental TEM mode where the fields extend radially outwards, and alsocomprise other, non-fundamental (e.g. higher-level, etc.) modes. Thesemodes can be asymmetric (e.g., radial, bilateral, trilateral,quadrilateral, etc.,) in nature as well.

It is noted also that guided wave communications over wires can be fullduplex, allowing simultaneous communications in both directions. Wavestraveling one direction can pass through waves traveling in an oppositedirection. Electromagnetic fields may cancel out at certain points andfor short times due to the superposition principle as applied to waves.The waves traveling in opposite directions propagate as if the otherwaves weren't there, but the composite effect to an observer may be astationary standing wave pattern. As the guided waves pass through eachother and are no longer in a state of superposition, the interferencesubsides. As a guided wave (e.g., surface wave or other electromagneticwave) couples to a waveguide and move away from the wire, anyinterference due to other guided waves (e.g., surface waves or otherelectromagnetic waves) decreases. In an embodiment, as guided wave 306(e.g., surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) approaches dielectricwaveguide 304, another guided wave (e.g., surface wave or otherelectromagnetic wave) (not shown) traveling from left to right on thewire 302 passes by causing local interference. As guided wave 306couples to dielectric waveguide 304 as wave 308, and moves away from thewire 302, any interference due to the passing guided wave subsides.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 306, 308 and 310are presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 306induces or otherwise launches a wave 308 on a dielectric waveguide 304.Guided wave 310 represents the portion of guided wave 306 that remainson the wire 302 after the generation of wave 308. The actual electricand magnetic fields generated as a result of such guided wavepropagation may vary depending on one or more of the shape and/or designof the dielectric waveguide, the relative position of the dielectricwaveguide to the wire, the frequencies employed, the design of thedielectric waveguide 304, the dimensions and composition of the wire302, as well as its surface characteristics, its optional insulation,the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 400 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. System 400 comprises adielectric waveguide 404 that has a wave 406 propagating as a guidedwave about a waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 404. In anembodiment, the dielectric waveguide 404 is curved, and an end of thedielectric waveguide 404 can be tied, fastened, or otherwisemechanically coupled to a wire 402. When the end of the dielectricwaveguide 404 is fastened to the wire 402, the end of the dielectricwaveguide 404 is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 402.Alternatively, another portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond an endcan be fastened or coupled to wire 402 such that the fastened or coupledportion is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 402. Thecoupling device 410 can be a nylon cable tie or other type ofnon-conducting/dielectric material. The dielectric waveguide 404 can beadjacent to the wire 402 without surrounding the wire 402.

When the dielectric waveguide 404 is placed with the end parallel to thewire 402, the guided wave 406 travelling along the dielectric waveguide404 couples to the wire 402, and propagates as guided wave 408 about thewire surface of the wire 402. In an example embodiment, the guided wave408 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagneticwave.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 406 and 408 arepresented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 406 induces orotherwise launches a guided wave 408 on a wire 402 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. The actual electric andmagnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may varydepending on one or more of the shape and/or design of the dielectricwaveguide, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide to thewire, the frequencies employed, the design of the dielectric waveguide404, the dimensions and composition of the wire 402, as well as itssurface characteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagneticproperties of the surrounding environment, etc.

In an embodiment (not shown), an end of dielectric waveguide 404 cantaper towards the wire 402 in order to increase coupling efficiencies.Indeed, the tapering of the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 canprovide impedance matching to the wire 402, according to an exampleembodiment of the subject disclosure. For example, an end of thedielectric waveguide 404 can be gradually tapered in order to obtain adesired level of coupling between waves 406 and 408 as illustrated inFIG. 4.

In an embodiment (not shown), the coupling device 410 can be placed suchthat there is a short length of the dielectric waveguide 404 between thecoupling device 410 and an end of the dielectric waveguide 404.Increased coupling efficiencies are realized when the length of the endof the dielectric waveguide 404 that is beyond the coupling device 410is one or more wavelengths long for whatever frequency is beingtransmitted.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dielectric waveguide coupler andtransceiver system 500 in accordance with various aspects describedherein. System 500 comprises a transmitter/receiver device 506 thatlaunches and receives waves (e.g., guided wave 504 onto dielectricwaveguide 502) based on signals received from and sent to a base stationdevice 508.

The output of the base station device 508 can be combined with amillimeter-wave carrier wave generated by a local oscillator 512 atfrequency mixer 510. Frequency mixer 510 can use heterodyning techniquesor other frequency shifting techniques to frequency shift thetransmission (Tx) signals from base station device 508. For example,signals sent to and from the base station 508 can be modulated signalssuch as orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) signalsformatted in accordance with a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wirelessprotocol or other wireless 3G, 4G or higher voice and data protocol, aZIGBEE®, WIMAX, UltraWideband or IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol or otherwireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this frequency conversioncan be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequencyshifting can be done without regard to the type of communicationsprotocol that base station devices 508 use. According to embodiment, asnew communications technologies are developed, the base station device508 can be upgraded or replaced and the frequency shifting andtransmission apparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades. The carrierwave can then be sent to a power amplifier (“PA”) 514 and can betransmitted via the transmitter receiver device 506 by the diplexer 516.

Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 506 that aredirected towards the base station device 508 can be separated from othersignals via diplexer 516. The transmission can then be sent to low noiseamplifier (“LNA”) 518 for amplification. A frequency mixer 520, withhelp from local oscillator 512 can downshift the transmission (which isin the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to thenative frequency. The base station device 508 can then receive (Rx) thetransmission.

In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 506 can be a cylindrical(which, for example, can be hollow in an embodiment) metal or conductingwaveguide and an end of the dielectric waveguide 502 can be placed in orin proximity to the transmitter/receiver device 506 such that when thetransmitter/receiver device 506 generates a transmission, the guidedwave couples to dielectric waveguide 502 and propagates as a guided wave504 about the waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 502.Similarly, if guided wave 504 is incoming (coupled to the dielectricwaveguide 502 from a wire), guided wave 504 then enters thetransmitter/receiver device 506 and become coupled to the cylindricalwaveguide or conducting waveguide.

In an embodiment, dielectric waveguide 502 can be wholly constructed ofa dielectric material, without any metallic or otherwise conductingmaterials therein. Dielectric waveguide 502 can be composed of nylon,TEFLON® (e.g. synthetic resin) polyethylene, a polyamide, otherplastics, or other materials that are non-conducting and suitable forfacilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves on an outer surfaceof such materials. In another embodiment, dielectric waveguide 502 caninclude a core that is conducting/metallic, and have an exteriordielectric surface. Similarly, a transmission medium that couples to thedielectric waveguide 502 for propagating electromagnetic waves inducedby the dielectric waveguide 502 or for supplying electromagnetic wavesto the dielectric waveguide 502 can be wholly constructed of adielectric material, without any metallic or otherwise conductingmaterials therein.

It is noted that although FIG. 5 shows that the opening of transmitterreceiver device 506 is much wider than the dielectric waveguide 502,this is not to scale, and that in other embodiments the width of thedielectric waveguide 502 is comparable or slightly smaller than theopening of the hollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in anembodiment, an end of the waveguide 502 that is inserted into thetransmitter/receiver device 506 tapers down in order to reducereflection and increase coupling efficiencies.

The transmitter/receiver device 506 can be communicably coupled to abase station device 508, and alternatively, transmitter/receiver device506 can also be communicably coupled to the one or more distributedantennas 112 and 114 shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, transmitterreceiver device 506 can comprise part of a repeater system for abackhaul network.

Before coupling to the dielectric waveguide 502, the one or morewaveguide modes of the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiverdevice 506 can couple to one or more wave propagation modes of theguided wave 504. The wave propagation modes can be different than thehollow metal waveguide modes due to the different characteristics of thehollow metal waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For instance, wavepropagation modes can comprise the fundamental transverseelectromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electrical and/ormagnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electricand magnetic fields extend radially outwards from the dielectricwaveguide 502 while the guided waves propagate along the dielectricwaveguide 502. The fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wavepropagation mode does not exist inside a waveguide that is hollow.Therefore, the hollow metal waveguide modes that are used bytransmitter/receiver device 506 are waveguide modes that can coupleeffectively and efficiently to wave propagation modes of dielectricwaveguide 502.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is a block diagram illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a dual dielectric waveguide couplingsystem 600 in accordance with various aspects described herein. In anembodiment, two or more dielectric waveguides (e.g., 604 and 606) can bepositioned around a wire 602 in order to receive guided wave 608. In anembodiment, the guided wave 608 can be characterized as a surface waveor other electromagnetic wave. In an embodiment, one dielectricwaveguide is enough to receive the guided wave 608. In that case, guidedwave 608 couples to dielectric waveguide 604 and propagates as guidedwave 610. If the field structure of the guided wave 608 oscillates orundulates around the wire 602 due to various outside factors, thendielectric waveguide 606 can be placed such that guided wave 608 couplesto dielectric waveguide 606. In some embodiments, as many as fourdielectric waveguides can be placed around a portion of the wire 602,e.g., at 90 degrees or another spacing with respect to each other, inorder to receive guided waves that may oscillate or rotate around thewire 602, that have been induced at different axial orientations or thathave non-fundamental or higher order modes that, for example, have lobesand/or nulls or other asymmetries that are orientation dependent.However, it will be appreciated that there may be less than or more thanfour dielectric waveguides placed around a portion of the wire 602without departing from example embodiments. It will also be appreciatedthat while some example embodiments have presented a plurality ofdielectric waveguides around at least a portion of a wire 602, thisplurality of dielectric waveguides can also be considered as part of asingle dielectric waveguide system having multiple dielectric waveguidesubcomponents. For example, two or more dielectric waveguides can bemanufactured as single system that can be installed around a wire in asingle installation such that the dielectric waveguides are eitherpre-positioned or adjustable relative to each other (either manually orautomatically) in accordance with the single system. Receivers coupledto dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 can use diversity combining tocombine signals received from both dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 inorder to maximize the signal quality. In other embodiments, if one orthe other of a dielectric waveguides 604 and 606 receive a transmissionthat is above a predetermined threshold, receivers can use selectiondiversity when deciding which signal to use.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 608 and 610 arepresented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 608induces or otherwise launches a wave 610 on a dielectric waveguide 604.The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of suchwave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, thedesign of the dielectric waveguide 604, the dimensions and compositionof the wire 602, as well as its surface characteristics, its optionalinsulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surroundingenvironment, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional dielectric waveguide couplingsystem 700 in accordance with various aspects described herein. Insystem 700, two dielectric waveguides 704 and 714 can be placed near awire 702 such that guided waves (e.g., surface waves or otherelectromagnetic waves) propagating along the wire 702 are coupled todielectric waveguide 704 as wave 706, and then are boosted or repeatedby repeater device 710 and launched as a guided wave 716 onto dielectricwaveguide 714. The guided wave 716 can then couple to wire 702 andcontinue to propagate along the wire 702. In an embodiment, the repeaterdevice 710 can receive at least a portion of the power utilized forboosting or repeating through magnetic coupling with the wire 702, whichcan be a power line.

In some embodiments, repeater device 710 can repeat the transmissionassociated with wave 706, and in other embodiments, repeater device 710can be associated with a distributed antenna system and/or base stationdevice located near the repeater device 710. Receiver waveguide 708 canreceive the wave 706 from the dielectric waveguide 704 and transmitterwaveguide 712 can launch guided wave 716 onto dielectric waveguide 714.Between receiver waveguide 708 and transmitter waveguide 712, the signalcan be amplified to correct for signal loss and other inefficienciesassociated with guided wave communications. In an embodiment, a signalcan be extracted from the transmission and processed and otherwiseemitted to mobile devices nearby via distributed antennas communicablycoupled to the repeater device 710. Similarly, signals and/orcommunications received by the distributed antennas can be inserted intothe transmission that is generated and launched onto dielectricwaveguide 714 by transmitter waveguide 712. Accordingly, the repeatersystem 700 depicted in FIG. 7 can be comparable in function to thedielectric waveguide coupling device 108 and 110 in FIG. 1.

It is noted that although FIG. 7 shows guided wave transmissions 706 and716 entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively, thisis merely a simplification and is not intended to be limiting. In otherembodiments, receiver waveguide 708 and transmitter waveguide 712 canalso function as transmitters and receivers respectively, allowing therepeater device 710 to be bi-directional.

In an embodiment (not shown), repeater device 710 can be placed atlocations where there are discontinuities or obstacles (not shown) onthe wire 702. These obstacles can include transformers, connections,utility poles, and other such power line devices. The repeater device710 can help the guided (e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacleson the line and boost the transmission power at the same time. In otherembodiments (not shown), a dielectric waveguide can be used to jump overthe obstacle without the use of a repeater device. In that embodiment,both ends of the dielectric waveguide can be tied or fastened to thewire, thus providing a path for the guided wave to travel without beingblocked by the obstacle.

Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler800 in accordance with various aspects described herein. Thebidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler 800 can employ diversitypaths in the case of when two or more wires are strung between utilitypoles. Since guided wave transmissions have different transmissionefficiencies and coupling efficiencies for insulated wires andun-insulated wires based on weather, precipitation and atmosphericconditions, it can be advantageous to selectively transmit on either aninsulated wire or un-insulated wire at certain times.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, repeater device uses a receiverwaveguide 808 to receive a guided wave traveling along uninsulated wire802 and repeats the transmission using transmitter waveguide 810 as aguided wave along insulated wire 804. In other embodiments, repeaterdevice can switch from the insulated wire 804 to the un-insulated wire802, or can repeat the transmissions along the same paths. Repeaterdevice 806 can include sensors, or be in communication with sensors thatindicate conditions that can affect the transmission. Based on thefeedback received from the sensors, the repeater device 806 can make thedetermination about whether to keep the transmission along the samewire, or transfer the transmission to the other wire.

Turning now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a block diagram illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system 900.Bidirectional repeater system 900 includes waveguide coupling devices902 and 904 that receive and transmit transmissions from other couplingdevices located in a distributed antenna system or backhaul system.

In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 902 can receive atransmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein thetransmission has a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer 906 can separatethe transmission from other transmissions, and direct the transmissionto low-noise amplifier (“LNA”) 908. A frequency mixer 928, with helpfrom a local oscillator 912, can downshift the transmission (which is inthe millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to alower frequency, whether it is a cellular band (˜1.9 GHz) for adistributed antenna system, a native frequency, or other frequency for abackhaul system. An extractor 932 can extract the signal on thesubcarrier that corresponds to antenna or other output component 922 anddirect the signal to the output component 922. For the signals that arenot being extracted at this antenna location, extractor 932 can redirectthem to another frequency mixer 936, where the signals are used tomodulate a carrier wave generated by local oscillator 914. The carrierwave, with its subcarriers, is directed to a power amplifier (“PA”) 916and is retransmitted by waveguide coupling device 904 to anotherrepeater system, via diplexer 920.

At the output device 922 (antenna in a distributed antenna system), a PA924 can boost the signal (Tx) for transmission to the mobile device. AnLNA 926 can be used to amplify weak signals that are received (Rx) fromthe mobile device and then send the signal to a multiplexer 934 whichmerges the signal with signals that have been received from waveguidecoupling device 904. The signals received from coupling device 904 havebeen split by diplexer 920, and then passed through LNA 918, anddownshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 938. When the signals arecombined by multiplexer 934, they are upshifted in frequency byfrequency mixer 930, and then boosted by PA 910, and transmitted back tothe launcher or on to another repeater by waveguide coupling device 902.In an embodiment bidirectional repeater system 900 can be just arepeater without the antenna/output device 922. It will be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, a bidirectional repeater system 900 could alsobe implemented using two distinct and separate uni-directionalrepeaters. In an alternative embodiment, a bidirectional repeater system900 could also be a booster or otherwise perform retransmissions withoutdownshifting and upshifting. Indeed in example embodiment, theretransmissions can be based upon receiving a signal or guided wave andperforming some signal or guided wave processing or reshaping,filtering, and/or amplification, prior to retransmission of the signalor guided wave.

FIG. 10 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIG. 10 can be implemented for example bysystems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 illustrated inFIGS. 1-9 respectively. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation,the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for transmitting a transmission with a dielectricwaveguide coupler as described herein. Method 1000 can begin or start at1002 where a first electromagnetic wave is emitted by a transmissiondevice that propagates at least in part on a waveguide surface of awaveguide, wherein the waveguide surface of the waveguide does notsurround in whole or in substantial part a wire surface of a wire. Thetransmission that is generated by a transmitter can be based on a signalreceived from a base station device, access point, network or a mobiledevice.

At 1004, based upon configuring the waveguide in proximity of the wire,the guided wave then couples at least a part of the firstelectromagnetic wave to a wire surface, forming a second electromagneticwave (e.g., a surface wave) that propagates at least partially aroundthe wire surface, wherein the wire is in proximity to the waveguide.This can be done in response to positioning a portion of the dielectricwaveguide (e.g., a tangent of a curve of the dielectric waveguide) nearand parallel to the wire, wherein a wavelength of the electromagneticwave is smaller than a circumference of the wire and the dielectricwaveguide. The guided wave, or surface wave, stays parallel to the wireeven as the wire bends and flexes. Bends can increase transmissionlosses, which are also dependent on wire diameters, frequency, andmaterials. The coupling interface between the wire and the waveguide canalso be configured to achieve the desired level of coupling, asdescribed herein, which can include tapering an end of the waveguide toimprove impedance matching between the waveguide and the wire.

The transmission that is emitted by the transmitter can exhibit one ormore waveguide modes. The waveguide modes can be dependent on the shapeand/or design of the waveguide. The propagation modes on the wire can bedifferent than the waveguide modes due to the different characteristicsof the waveguide and the wire. When the circumference of the wire iscomparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of thetransmission, the guided wave exhibits multiple wave propagation modes.The guided wave can therefore comprise more than one type of electricand magnetic field configuration. As the guided wave (e.g., surfacewave) propagates down the wire, the electrical and magnetic fieldconfigurations may remain substantially the same from end to end of thewire or vary as the transmission traverses the wave by rotation,dispersion, attenuation or other effects. The process ends at step 1004.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 11 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable computing environment 1100 in which the various embodiments ofthe embodiment described herein can be implemented. While theembodiments have been described above in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be alsoimplemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or“signals” refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristicsset or changed in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 11, the example environment 1100 fortransmitting and receiving signals via base station (e.g., base stationdevices 104 and 508) and repeater devices (e.g., repeater devices 710,806, and 900) comprises a computer 1102, the computer 1102 comprising aprocessing unit 1104, a system memory 1106 and a system bus 1108. Thesystem bus 1108 couples system components including, but not limited to,the system memory 1106 to the processing unit 1104. The processing unit1104 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dualmicroprocessors and other multi-processor architectures can also beemployed as the processing unit 1104.

The system bus 1108 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1106comprises ROM 1110 and RAM 1112. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1102, such as during startup. The RAM 1112 can also comprise ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1102 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1114 (e.g., Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE), SerialAdvanced Technology Attachment (SATA)), which internal hard disk drive1114 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (notshown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1116, (e.g., to read from orwrite to a removable diskette 1118) and an optical disk drive 1120,(e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 1122 or, to read from or write to otherhigh capacity optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1114,magnetic disk drive 1116 and optical disk drive 1120 can be connected tothe system bus 1108 by a hard disk drive interface 1124, a magnetic diskdrive interface 1126 and an optical drive interface 1128, respectively.The interface 1124 for external drive implementations comprises at leastone or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Otherexternal drive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1102, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette,and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also beused in the example operating environment, and further, that any suchstorage media can contain computer-executable instructions forperforming the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1112,comprising an operating system 1130, one or more application programs1132, other program modules 1134 and program data 1136. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1112. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs1132 that can be implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit1104 include the diversity selection determining performed by repeaterdevice 806. Base station device 508 shown in FIG. 5, also has stored onmemory many applications and programs that can be executed by processingunit 1104 in this exemplary computing environment 1100.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1102 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1138 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1140. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 1104 through aninput device interface 1142 that can be coupled to the system bus 1108,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1144 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 1108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1146. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 1144can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 1102 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 1144, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1102 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1148. The remotecomputer(s) 1148 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1102, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1150 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1152 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1154. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1102 can beconnected to the local network 1152 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1156. The adapter 1156 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1152, which canalso comprise a wireless AP (Access Point) disposed thereon forcommunicating with the wireless adapter 1156.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1102 cancomprise a modem 1158 or can be connected to a communications server onthe WAN 1154 or has other means for establishing communications over theWAN 1154, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1158, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected tothe system bus 1108 via the input device interface 1142. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1102 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1150. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1102 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

FIG. 12 presents an example embodiment 1200 of a mobile network platform1210 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobilenetwork platform 1210 can generate and receive signals transmitted andreceived by base stations (e.g., base station devices 104 and 508) andrepeater devices (e.g., repeater devices 710, 806, and 900) associatedwith the disclosed subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform1210 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces,servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched(PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfermode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), aswell as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication overa radio access network (RAN). As a non-limiting example, wirelessnetwork platform 1210 can be included in telecommunications carriernetworks, and can be considered carrier-side components as discussedelsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 1210 comprises CS gatewaynode(s) 1212 which can interface CS traffic received from legacynetworks like telephony network(s) 1240 (e.g., public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signalingsystem #7 (SS7) network 1260. Circuit switched gateway node(s) 1212 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 1212 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 1260; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 1230. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1212 interfaces CS-basedtraffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 1218. As an example, in a3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 1212 can be realized at least inpart in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciatedthat functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 1212, PSgateway node(s) 1218, and serving node(s) 1216, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 1210 fortelecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1218 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 1210, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1250,enterprise network(s) 1270, and service network(s) 1280, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 1210 through PS gateway node(s) 1218. It is tobe noted that WANs 1250 and enterprise network(s) 1260 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s),packet-switched gateway node(s) 1218 can generate packet data protocolcontexts when a data session is established; other data structures thatfacilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To thatend, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1218 can comprise a tunnelinterface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTSnetwork(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communicationwith disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment 1200, wireless network platform 1210 also comprisesserving node(s) 1216 that, based upon available radio technologylayer(s) within technology resource(s), convey the various packetizedflows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s) 1218. It is tobe noted that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CScommunication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PSgateway node(s) 1218; for example, server node(s) can embody at least inpart a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network,serving node(s) 1216 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)(SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)1214 in wireless network platform 1210 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 1210. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1218 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1216 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 1214 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 1210 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1212and PS gateway node(s) 1218 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 1250 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 1210 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage. Repeater devices such as those shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 alsoimprove network coverage in order to enhance subscriber serviceexperience by way of UE (User Equipment) 1275.

It is to be noted that server(s) 1214 can comprise one or moreprocessors configured to confer at least in part the functionality ofmacro network platform 1210. To that end, the one or more processor canexecute code instructions stored in memory 1230, for example. It isshould be appreciated that server(s) 1214 can comprise a contentmanager.

In example embodiment 1200, memory 1230 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 1210. Other operationalinformation can comprise provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 1210, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 1230 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 1240,WAN 1250, enterprise network(s) 1270, or SS7 network 1260. In an aspect,memory 1230 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 12, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c , illustrated are block diagramsof example, non-limiting embodiments of a slotted waveguide couplersystem 1300 in accordance with various aspects described herein. In FIG.13a , the waveguide coupler system comprises a wire 1306 that ispositioned with respect to a waveguide 1302, such that the wire 1306fits within or near a slot formed in the waveguide 1302 that runslongitudinally with respect to the wire 1304. The opposing ends 1304 aand 1304 b of the waveguide 1302, and the waveguide 1302 itself,surrounds less than 180 degrees of the wire surface of the wire 1306.

In FIG. 13b the waveguide coupler system comprises a wire 1314 that ispositioned with respect to a waveguide 1308, such that the wire 1314fits within or near a slot formed in the waveguide 1308 that runslongitudinally with respect to the wire 1304. The slot surfaces of thewaveguide 1308 can be non-parallel, and two different exemplaryembodiments are shown in FIG. 13b . In the first, slot surfaces 1310 aand 1310 b can be non-parallel and aim outwards, slightly wider than thewidth of the wire 1314. In the other embodiment, the slots surfaces 1312a and 1312 b can still be non-parallel, but narrow to form a slotopening smaller than a width of the wire 1314. Any range of angles ofthe non-parallel slot surfaces are possible, of which these are twoexemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 13c , the waveguide coupler system shows a wire 1320 that fitswithin a slot formed in waveguide 1316. The slot surfaces 1318 a and1318 b in this exemplary embodiment can be parallel, but the axis 1326of the wire 1320 is not aligned with the axis 1324 of the waveguide1316. The waveguide 1316 and the wire 1320 are therefore not coaxiallyaligned. In another embodiment, shown, a possible position of the wireat 1322 also has an axis 1328 that is not aligned with the axis 1324 ofthe waveguide 1316.

It is to be appreciated that while three different embodiments showinga) waveguide surfaces that surround less than 180 degrees of the wire,b) non parallel slot surfaces, and c) coaxially unaligned wires andwaveguide were shown separately in FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c , in variousembodiments, diverse combinations of the listed features are possible.

Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a waveguide coupling system 1400 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. FIG. 14 depicts a cross sectionalrepresentation of the waveguide and wire embodiments shown in FIGS. 2,3, 4, and etc. As can be seen in 1400, the wire 1404 can be positioneddirectly next to and touching waveguide 1402. In other embodiments, asshown in waveguide coupling system 1500 in FIG. 15, the wire 1504 canstill be placed near, but not actually touching waveguide strip 1502. Inboth cases, electromagnetic waves traveling along the waveguides caninduce other electromagnetic waves on to the wires and vice versa. Also,in both embodiments, the wires 1404 and 1504 are placed outside thecross-sectional area defined by the outer surfaces of waveguides 1402and 1502.

For the purposes of this disclosure, a waveguide does not surround, insubstantial part, a wire surface of a wire when the waveguide does notsurround an axial region of the surface, when viewed in cross-section,of more than 180 degrees. For avoidance of doubt, a waveguide does notsurround, in substantial part a surface of a wire when the waveguidesurrounds an axial region of the surface, when viewed in cross-section,of 180 degrees or less.

It is to be appreciated that while FIGS. 14 and 15 show wires 1404 and1504 having a circular shape and waveguides 1402 and 1502 havingrectangular shapes, this is not meant to be limiting. In otherembodiments (not shown), wires and waveguides can have a variety ofshapes, sizes, and configurations. The shapes can include, but not belimited to: ovals or other ellipsoid shapes, octagons, quadrilaterals orother polygons with either sharp or rounded edges, or other shapes.Additionally, in some embodiments, the wires 1404 and 1504 can bestranded wires comprising smaller gauge wires, such as a helical strand,braid or other coupling of individual strands into a single wire. Any ofwires and waveguides shown in the figures and described throughout thisdisclosure can include one or more of these embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIG. 16 can be implemented for example bysystems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1300, 1400, and1500 illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, 13, 14, and 15 respectively. While forpurposes of simplicity of explanation, the methods are shown anddescribed as a series of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciatedthat the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of theblocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrentlywith other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover,not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methodsdescribed hereinafter.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method 1600 for transmitting an electromagnetic wavewith use of a waveguide as described herein. The method 1600 can beginor start at 1602, where a transmission device emits a firstelectromagnetic wave that propagates at least in part on the surface ofthe waveguide. The method can continue at 1604 where at least a part ofthe first electromagnetic wave is delivered to the surface of the wirevia the non-coaxially aligned waveguide, thereby forming a secondelectromagnetic wave that propagates along the wire, at least partiallyaround the wire surface. The process ends at step 1604.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, watch, tablet computers, netbookcomputers, etc.), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer orindustrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can alsobe practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributedcomputing environment, program modules can be located in both local andremote memory storage devices.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used todetermine positions around a wire that dielectric waveguides 604 and 606should be placed in order to maximize transfer efficiency. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes forcarrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier canbe employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site ofthe acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesiannetworks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, andprobabilistic classification models providing different patterns ofindependence can be employed. Classification as used herein also isinclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop modelsof priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a dielectriccoupler that facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wavealong the dielectric coupler, wherein the dielectric coupler does notsurround, in whole or in substantial part, an outer surface of atransmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic wave couples tothe transmission medium, thereby forming a second electromagnetic wave,wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode thatenables the second electromagnetic wave to propagate along thetransmission medium, wherein at least a portion of the dielectriccoupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the dielectric coupler ispositioned parallel to the transmission medium such that the firstelectromagnetic wave couples to the transmission medium.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the dielectric coupler thatis positioned parallel to the transmission medium is an end of thedielectric coupler.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the end of thedielectric coupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric coupler includes afirst end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein thedielectric coupler includes a curve between the first end and the secondend, and wherein a part of the curve is a portion of the dielectriccoupler that is positioned parallel to the transmission medium.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the transmissionmedium is insulated.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a firstportion of an electromagnetic field of the first electromagnetic wave islocated inside the dielectric coupler, and wherein a second portion ofthe electromagnetic field of the first electromagnetic wave is locatedoutside the dielectric coupler.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein anouter surface of the dielectric coupler does not surround in substantialpart the outer surface of the transmission medium by more than 180degrees.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second electromagneticwave travels along the transmission medium without requiring anelectrical return path.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: a first couplerthat has an outer surface defining a cross-sectional area of the firstcoupler, wherein a transmission medium is positioned outside of thecross-sectional area of the first coupler such that a firstelectromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission medium couplesat least in part to the first coupler and travels along the firstcoupler as a second electromagnetic wave, and the first couplercomprises a material that is not electrically conductive, wherein atleast a portion of the first coupler is mechanically coupled to thetransmission medium.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the materialcomprises a dielectric material.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe material comprises a low-loss insulator material.
 13. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein an end of the first coupler is positioned inproximity to the transmission medium.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the end of the first coupler comprises the at least a portion ofthe first coupler mechanically coupled to the transmission medium byusing a non-conductive fastener.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe end of the first coupler tapers towards the transmission medium. 16.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first coupler is curved, and thetransmission medium is in proximity to and parallel to a tangent of acurve of the first coupler.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising a second coupler, wherein the first electromagnetic wavecouples to one or both of the first coupler and the second coupler basedon a position of a field of the first electromagnetic wave.
 18. Amethod, comprising: generating, by a transmission device, a firstelectromagnetic wave that propagates along a dielectric coupler; andpositioning the dielectric coupler in proximity to a transmission mediumto facilitate coupling of at least a part of the first electromagneticwave to the transmission medium, thereby forming a secondelectromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium, andwherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode thatenables the second electromagnetic wave to travel along the transmissionmedium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein at least aportion of the dielectric coupler is mechanically coupled to thetransmission medium.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the generatingcomprises generating the first electromagnetic wave with a wavelengthsmaller than a circumference of the dielectric coupler.
 20. The methodof claim 18, further comprising coupling an incoming electromagneticwave from the transmission medium onto the dielectric coupler andproviding the incoming electromagnetic wave to a receiver, wherein firstcharacteristics of the incoming electromagnetic wave differ from secondcharacteristics of the second electromagnetic wave.